Clash Between Cultists Claims Three Lives In Lagos

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September 3, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

Hell was let loose in Lekki Phase 1 axis of Lagos, when rival Cultists clashed and unleashed terror. It was blood, tears, and sorrow. When it subsided, three people lay dead.

The Lagos Police Command has arrested no fewer than 23 of the suspected Cult members in connection with the clash.

The clash occurred on Wole Olateju Street between different cult groups in the area.

The arrested suspects are: Frank okpara ‘m’ aged 27, Friday Ebuka ‘m’ aged 27, Babatunde Mufutau ‘m’ aged 24, Suleiman Muri ‘m’ aged 25, Olamide Malik ‘m’ aged 24, Nwaka Lucky ‘m’ aged 34, Raphael Ashim ‘m’ aged 30, Wasiu Kareem ‘m’ aged 33.

Others are; Sadiq olabisi ‘m’ aged 40, Ibrahim Abdul ‘m’ aged 22, Ibrahim Aminu “m” aged 37, Nasiru Musa ‘m’ aged 27, Friday Nwafor ‘m’ aged 51, Ahmed Fatai ‘m’ aged 26, Aro Abiola A.K.A Zino aged 25, Tijani Shehu A.K.A Abana ‘m’ aged 26, Gift Igedi ‘m’ aged 31, Ugochukwu Chike ‘m’ aged 30, Ridwan Alex ‘m’ aged 37, Happiness Otigbo ‘m’ aged 27, Abiodun Adegun ‘m’ aged 37, Adedayo Adeoti ‘m’ aged 27, and Afeez Ahmed ‘m’ aged 31.

To avert further clashes, the Police has deployed a special intervention unit, the Eko Strike Force, to address all forms of criminal issues in the Lekki area and its environs.

According to the police, they would complement the ongoing efforts of the Anti-Cultism Team and other Tactical teams under the Elemoro Area Command that were immediately deployed to identify and apprehend members of the cult groups in Lekki Phase 1.

Confirming the development, Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, who personally mobilized personnel to the scene, disclosed on Tuesday that arms and weapons used during the clashes have been recovered from the suspects after arrest.

According to him, one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Live Ammunition, One Military Camouflage Cap, Two Cutlasses, Wraps of Indian Hemp, One Charm, and Three Indian hemp Crushers were seized from the suspects during a joint police team arrived to attend to the bloody situation.

In a statement made by the Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, the CP stressed that normalcy has been fully restored after the incident, and added that residents should go about their lawful activities without fear or apprehension.

“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to categorically state that crime in Lekki is not alarming. The ongoing investigation aimed at arresting other members of the cult group is being conducted with utmost diligence, and the outcome will be made public in due course. All suspects found in possession of dangerous weapons and linked to this heinous crime will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact our emergency lines for prompt response.

“The Lagos State Police Command calls on residents to cooperate fully with the intervention team to ensure the success of the operations and maintain safety and security for all”.

Abia: Fmr. Gov. Ikpeazu’s Commissioner In Trouble, Declared Wanted By EFCC

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James Orji

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September 3, 2025

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared, wanted, Christopher Enweremadu , a former commissioner in Abia state.

The agency said the former government official, who served in the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration is wanted in connection with allegations of criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds and money-laundering.

According to a public notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday, the last address of . Enweremadu’s was at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Umuahia, Abia State.

The agency has urged the members of the public to give voluntary information on his whereabouts, so that eh could be brought to justice for the alleged crime.

“The public is hereby notified that CHRISTOPHER ENWEREMADU, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Criminal Conspiracy, Diversion of Public Funds stealing and Money Laundering.

“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its lbadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices,” EFCC said.

The magazine learned, from competent sources, in the Commission that Ekweremadu is wanted, as the part of the EFCC’s investigations, to unravel how the administration managed the local government funds, for eight years that Ikpeazu presided over the affairs of the state.

Some pasts state governors are currently undergoing EFCC probe for allegedly mismanaging council funds running into several billions.

Breaking: APC Group Demands NNPCL GMD, Ojulari’s Sack

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James Orji

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September 3, 2025

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There appears no respite for the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari as those bent on ensuring that he’s removed from office have stepped up their plan.

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In the latest plan to ensure that he exits the NNPCL as the chief executive officer, a group, the Renewed Hope Interest Defenders has called for his immediate resignation from office. If he fails to resign his position voluntarily, the APC group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack him will immediate effect.

The group made the demand at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital saying the NNPCL chief executive is working against the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu for the oil sector and the company.

Its demands for the Ojulari comes less than a month after reports that President Tinubu has sacked him, for working with those considered to be opposition politicians in the country.

The magazine reports that the last few weeks have witnessed protests and counter protests for and against Ojulari, by some civil society groups in the country.

According to the group, Ojulari’s sins include his decision to shut down the Port Harcourt Refinery; allegedly spending millions of dollars to organize a management retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, lavishing government funds on foreign trips, spending huge funds to hire private jets, among others.

Calling on President Tinubu to end his tenure as NNPLC chief executive, the group said “we will not want Ojulari to remain the GMD of NNPCL”

Recall that Peoples Gazette had last month detailed, in a report, how Ojulari was forced to resign his position by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Department of State Services, DSS after he was allegedly abducted by the agencies.

The newspaper had claimed that Ojulari was seized and pressured to sign a resignation letter by Ola Olukoyede, chairman of anti-graft EFCC, and Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the State Security Service.

The incident, on newspaper claimed was narrated by sources familiar with the matter, with some of them describing the operation as a coup d’état because President Bola Tinubu did not sanction it.

Officials said Ojulari was repeatedly questioned about what he might know of Olatimbo Ayinde, a British-Nigerian oil businesswoman who has recently emerged as one of the most powerful forces steering the Tinubu administration.

“Mr Ojulari told us he didn’t know Olatimbo Ayinde,” an official said under anonymity to disclose the matter to The Gazette. “He also said he heard she was trying to control businesses at NNPC and he rejected such moves.”

Ms Ayinde, long known in business circles for her wheeling and dealing, was charged in the United Kingdom for bribing two former Nigerian oil ministers. The Gazette reported on Thursday that anti-graft operatives were ordered to slow-walk and frustrate a request for evidence from British prosecutors for use in their ongoing trial of Ms Ayinde.

Ojulari was appointed in early April by Mr Tinubu, with the Nigerian president saying the decision was largely due to Mr Ojulari’s expertise in hydrocarbon as a former Shell executive in Nigeria.

Poverty Made Me Give Out My 15-Year Old Daughter Into Marriage – Father Confesses

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Ayodele Oni

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September 3, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has foiled an attempt to force a 15-year old girl into marriage.

Already, the father of the girl, the would-be husband and one other person are helping the police to unravel the reason behind the forced marriage.

Police Command spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the incident happened at Ido-ani, in Ose Local Government Area.

According to the statement, “On 28th August, 2025, at about 06:53hrs, the Divisional Police Officer, Idoani Division, received a report from a community leader, that a 15-year-old minor (name withheld for ethical reasons) was about to be given out in marriage to one Asere Sunday ‘M’, aged 52 years, popularly known as “Santo.”

“Acting swiftly on this intelligence, operatives were deployed to the venue, where they successfully rescued the victim and arrested the principal suspect, Asere Sunday a.k.a. “Santo,” along with his son, Asere Kehinde ‘M’, aged 22 years, and the victim’s father, Ayoola Sunday ‘M’.

“The rescued victim was immediately taken to the Reference Hospital, Igbatoro Road, Akure, for medical examination and proper care.

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect, Asere Sunday “Santo,” confessed to arranging the marriage and admitted that he had offered money to the victim’s father in exchange for her hand, with plans already in place to conduct traditional marriage rites.

” In his statement, the father of the minor claimed that poverty and financial hardship influenced his decision to give out his daughter in marriage.

“Meanwhile, intelligence also revealed that youths in the community had mobilized to resist the marriage and were on the verge of clashing with the victim’s parents before the timely arrival of the Police.

“This swift intervention not only prevented the illegal marriage but also averted what could have escalated into a serious breakdown of law and order in the community.

“The suspects are currently in lawful custody, and the case will be diligently investigated and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

“The Command urges parents, guardians, and community leaders to safeguard children under their care and resist compromising their future on the grounds of poverty or any other factor.”

FG Declares Friday Public Holiday

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 3, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has declared Friday, September 5, 2025, as a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, extended warm greetings to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.

He urged the Muslim Ummah to emulate the Prophet’s virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion, stressing that these values are crucial to building a united and progressive nation.

The Minister also called on Nigerians of all faiths to use the occasion to pray for the peace, security, and stability of the country while supporting government efforts toward national harmony and sustainable development.

“The celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid offers us yet another opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, promote peaceful coexistence, and imbibe the Prophet’s teachings of mutual respect and selfless service to humanity,” Tunji-Ojo stated.

He further urged citizens to remain law-abiding, security-conscious, and supportive of government policies aimed at enhancing the well-being of all Nigerians, while wishing Muslims a joyous and peaceful Eid al-Mawlid celebration.

Eid-ul-Mawlid, observed in the third month of the Islamic calendar (Rabi’ al-Awwal), commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

It is marked with prayers, lectures, processions, and acts of charity.

In Nigeria, the day is recognised as a national public holiday, reflecting the country’s large Muslim population and long-standing tradition of observing major Islamic festivals.

The holiday is often used by religious leaders and government officials to call for peace and unity, particularly at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with security and economic challenges.

The Bid To Remove Jonathan Brought The Insecurity We Are Battling Today – Baba-Ahmed

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The Source

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September 3, 2025

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By Gideon Njoku

Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Party’s 2023 Vice Presidential Candidate, has revealed the genesis of the unprecedented Insecurity in Nigeria.

The insecurity ravaging Nigeria today, he said, especially, in the North, is a product of the desperation to remove Jonathan from office in 2015.

Baba-Ahmed who said this Tuesday when he spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, also said it was the main reason he parted ways with late President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I contested with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2011. But ever since he made a security threat comment, I refused to go out with him”, he said.

He, also, said that after Buhari made that statement, it didn’t matter to him whether he (Baba-Ahmed) won his own election or not. He simply walked away from Buhari.

To remove Jonathan, according to him, they flooded the country with people from neighbouring countries.

His words: “It didn’t matter if I lost the Senate seat, but I won it eventually. Buhari said you will all be soaked in blood. Kaduna is my State. There was serious violence in Kaduna. Many houses were burnt.

“They went and brought people from neighbouring countries in readiness to remove Jonathan.”

Not a few people agree with Baba-Ahmed, especially, on the desperation to remove Jonathan from office, and the flooding of Nigeria with people from neighbouring countries, most of whom, allegedly, voted in Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential election in which Buhari, surprisingly, defeated a sitting President Jonathan.

Shettima To Tinubu: “The Bond We Share, Anchored On Loyalty And Service, Is One I Will Never Take For Granted”

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Adesina Soyooye

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September 3, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has said that the birthday message sent to him by President Bola Tinubu on his 59th Birthday touched him profoundly because it was steemed in warmth and comradeship.

The Vice President who turned 59 years on September 2, 2025, was reacting to the messages to him by Nigerians, including First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and, especially, the one personally signed by the President wherein he told Shettima that he made no mistake when he chose him as his Vice President, and has had no regrets.

In the thank you message, Shettima wrote: “Today, as I reflect upon the goodwill messages that reached me from across Nigeria and beyond, I see life breathed into this eternal truth.

“I am deeply moved by the prayers and goodwill, particularly, from my boss, President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-

Chief of the Armed Forces and our beloved mother of the nation, the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on the occasion of my 59th birthday.”

Specifically, addressing President Tinubu, the Vice President wrote: “Mr President, your heartfelt message, steeped in warmth and comradeship, has touched me profoundly.

“This feeling, as you know, is mutual. The bond we share, anchored on loyalty and service, is one I will never take for granted.

“I have watched you shoulder the burden of difficult choices, steering our nation through turbulent waters into a harbour of stability that promises abundance.

“To serve alongside you, under your visionary and people-centred leadership, in shaping our nation’s destiny through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is an honour and lifelong lesson.”

The warm exchange of messages between Tinubu and Shettima, many say, was aimed at shutting down speculations that the two were having a little strained relationship, politically, and that the President was considering dropping his Vice President in the upcoming 2027 Presidential Election.

Abati To Wike: “Stop Talking Recklessly, Unintelligently, You Have Character Issues

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The Source

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September 3, 2025

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By Charles Igbo

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has been asked by Dr. Reuben Abati, to exhibit some, decorum and intelligence when speaking publicly about others.

Dr. Abati, a Lawyer, veteran Journalist, former Presidential Spokesman to former President Goodluck Jonathan, and the anchor, Arise Television’s popular The Morning Show, also asked the Minister to limit his reckless manner of speaking about others, or saying they have no character when, in fact, he is the one who should look inwards at his own character.

Abati spoke Tuesday on the heels of Wike’s attack on Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election who he dismissed as a man without character. Wike also advised Jonathan not to throw his hat into the 2027 Presidential election, and spoke down on former Kaduna State Governor who was also a former FCT Minister, Malam El-Rufai.

Minister Wike spoke during his monthly Media parley with select Journalists from select Media Houses in Abuja.

At the parley, the Minister, noted for his caustic tongue, had derided Obi’s much speculated return to the PDP and dismissed it as a potential disaster.

But Abati is of the opinion that Wike is not in any position to advise the PDP, or determine its destiny since he, Wike, is already in another political party.

He, also, blamed the Media for giving him air time to viciously attack people because of the money he pays, without given his victims same air time to respond. He noted: “If he’s talking about the FCT, yes, fine. But if it is disparaging all the political opponents, the Media has an obligation to give all other persons that have been disparaged a right of reply.”

Abati: “Now he is saying that if Mr Peter Obi comes back to the PDP, the PDP will be destroyed, because Peter Obi doesn’t have the character having condemned PDP as a rotten party to come back to.

“Wike is not in a position to talk about character. Okay, he is not the one to talk about character. In fact, if he talks about character, he should question his own character.

“I don’t know why people have problems with basic intelligence and decorum. He goes on television, and he says, you know, ‘Peter Obi doesn’t have character. Peter Obi left PDP and went to Labor Party, now he’s in ADC’. In fact, it is Wike himself that destroyed the party.

“Yesterday, (Monday), he was talking about Peter Obi. He was talking about President Jonathan. He was talking about Nasir El-Rufai. What gives him that moral high ground to talk recklessly and unintelligently?

“Because the media, what is the media looking for? The media, they are the ones who go to interview him. They are the ones who collect money to put him on the air.

“If he’s talking about the FCT, yes, fine. But if it’s disparaging all other political opponents, the media has an obligation to give all the other persons that have been disparaged a right of reply.

“So, we should not create a situation whereby, for monetary reasons, the Nigerian Media is sucking up to a Minister of the Federal Republic, who, in my view, is overreaching himself.”

For the records, Wike, as Rivers State Governor, had sworn he would never have anything to do with APC, and compared the party to one suffering from cancer, and PDP to one suffering malaria. He said he would prefer to suffer malaria to suffer from cancer. He has since left malaria and taken refuge with “cancer”.

Wike To Give FCT Judges 50 Duplexes

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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September 3, 2025

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Nyesom Wike Laying Foundation of Judges Houses

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, decried what he called the deplorable accommodation conditions of serving Justices in the country.

This is as he promised to fete Judges in the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary with no fewer than 50 units of posh duplexes before June 2026.

The pledge is coming against the backdrop of widespread condemnation of the tendency by the former Governor of Rivers state to dangle temptating gestures before serving Justices in the country.

Not a few have strongly criticized the penchant among the political class to be content with dishing out periodic patronages to Judicial officers rather than allowing for the independence of the third arm of Government as enshrined in the constitution of the country.

According to the critics, such periodic hand-outs from the Executive Branch of Government has tended to erode the Independence of the Judiciary as well as compromise the administration of justice in the country.

Speaking at the occasion of the commissioning of Abuja Magistrate Court Complex, Wike assured that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to address the huge short falls in accommodation needs of Judges in the country, particularly in the FCT

According to him, the 50 units of duplexes will be fully ready by June, 2026.

The first phase of 20 units,will be ready in October 2025, while the second and last batch of 30 units will be handed over in June 2026.

He expressed serious concern that a large number of Judges do not only live as tenants, but do so at the mercy of their landlords.

This is as he lamented the potential dangers posed to the lives of Judges living in public places ,and at the same time handling criminal cases in their Courts.

“Sometimes, when you go out and see where judges are living as tenants, it is disturbing.

“In some cases, they are living in the same areas with the same criminals that they are presiding over their matters in Court.

In that situation, how do you guarantee their safety? And then, in some other instances, they are at the mercy of their landlords when they are not able to pay on time.

“Their landlords can use their vehicles to block the gate to protest non-payment of their rates,”Wike noted

He, therefore, assured that the present administration will continue to prioritize the issue of Judges’ accommodation , with a view to ensuring that living conditions are improved .

“In Kebbi Politics, There Is No Retreat, No surrender” – Malami, Fmr. AGF, Responds To Attack On His Convoy

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The Source

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September 3, 2025

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By Gideon Njoku

Several people were injured and over 10 vehicles destroyed, when the convoy of Abubakar Malami, SAN, came under heavy attack in Birnin Kebbi, capital of Kebbi State.

Malami was the Attorney General and Minister for Justice under the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government.

A staunch Buharist, Malami recently dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and is now one of its chieftains. He is one of the late former President’s staunch loyalists who exited APC to find refuge elsewhere.

The ADC is the Party under which a coalition of the opposition hopes to remove President Bola Tinubu from office in 2027.

However, while Malami, who is the leader of the ADC in Kebbi was in the State for, according to him, condolence visits, his convoy came under attack by suspected political thugs.

In his reaction to the incident, he said he was not in the Birnin Kebbi for political activities but to condole with prominent families who lost loved ones in his absence.

Malami: “It’s a painful act clearly linked to politics. Some thugs came out from the APC State headquarters armed with dangerous weapons and stones, attacking and destroying our convoy.

“The truth is, when it comes to politics in Kebbi State there is no retreat, no surrender.”

However, the APC Kebbi State Publicity Secretary , Isa Assalafy, has denied that the party had anything to do with the attack which he, also, condemned.

He said “Kebbi is a peaceful State. No government that enjoys massive support from the people, and is confident of victory in 2027, would want the peace of the State to be disrupted.

He, however, alleged that the security personnel attached to Malami’s convoy were those who opened fire during a confrontation, and so, worsened the situation.